State Vital Records in Georgia

The Georgia Department of Public Health - State Office of Vital Records issues certified copies of death certificates for deaths that occurred in Georgia. Executors and surviving family order certified copies to close accounts, file insurance claims, and transfer titles; the office sets the fees, eligibility rules, and processing times.

Administering agency

Georgia Department of Public Health - State Office of Vital Records

Verified Sep 2026

State Vital Records in Georgia: key facts

Administering office
Georgia Department of Public Health - State Office of Vital Records.
Contact
Phone 404-679-4702.
Mail orders
State Office of Vital Records, 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349.
Certificate fee
$25 for the first certified copy; $5 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
Processing time
8-10 weeks for mail-in requests.
Who may order
Primary family members; Legal representatives of family; Members of public may receive plain paper copies with SSN redacted.
Filing deadline
The death certificate must be filed within 3 days.
Public record
Death records are public immediately.
Records available from
January 1919.

Steps to take when someone dies

  1. Confirm the death occurred in Georgia — the record belongs to the state where the death occurred, regardless of where the deceased lived.
  2. Order certified copies through any of the office's channels:
    • Online: Order through GO Certificates or VitalChek
    • By mail: Mail completed Form 3912 with payment. Processing time 8-10 weeks
    • In person: Visit State Office of Vital Records in Atlanta
  3. Include what the office requires with the order:
    • Signature and picture ID
    • Proper fee
  4. Allow the office's processing time (8-10 weeks for mail-in requests).

Georgia Department of Public Health - State Office of Vital Records

Phone: 404-679-4702

Visit the agency website →

Frequently asked questions

by mail: Mail completed Form 3912 with payment. Processing time 8-10 weeks. in person: Visit State Office of Vital Records in Atlanta. Mail orders go to State Office of Vital Records, 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349.

The death certificate must be filed within 3 days. The funeral director or person in charge of disposition files the certificate with the state; the family orders certified copies once the record is registered.

Signature and picture ID; Proper fee. The office also asks for the deceased's full name, date of death, and place of death to locate the record.

The record belongs to the state where the death occurred, not the state of residence. Order from the state of death, following its fees and eligibility rules.

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Sources

Data sourced from State Vital Records in Georgia primary sources (1 page reviewed). How we research.